The first time he heard of him, he was reading a report of a failed Pokemon theft. A twelve-year-old boy saved the day, stopping Team Rocket from stealing the Pokemon within a Trainer School. The kid decimated the grunts with precision and power, sending the criminals running after the beatdown. There was more to it than that, but he understood the gist of what had happened.
Giovanni sighed.
At first, he thought that it was nothing but the mere rambling of those below the ladder. Giovanni was right not to care. Kanto was firmly Team Rocket's territory and no other criminal syndicate could remotely compare to the size of his organization within it. What could a mere child do at the face of his creation?
Nothing.
Still, strong trainers should be acknowledged. What kind of Pokemon was used to stop his grunts? It may be worth taking. He briefly read the report in his office before putting it down to massage his head.
They lost to a Pikachu.
Giovanni knew his organization better than anyone and while he held it with pride, he will acknowledge that the people working under him were not the brightest eggs in an Exeggcute. Most of his hired goons were muscle and nothing more. They follow orders. Capture, steal, sell. That is all that was required to work under Team Rocket. It helped the organization grow, but such meager requirements had obvious downsides.
To lose to a Pikachu of all things...
How embarrassing, but it did little in the grand scheme of things. The boy was at the wrong place at the wrong time. No trainer worth mentioning would actively target his organization. He wrote off the incident as a one-off thing and returned to more important things that deserved his attention.
Another batch of Zubats for his grunts...
Honestly, Kanto should be thanking him. His organization was single-handedly taking care of the overpopulation of bat Pokemon that was infesting this Arceus-forsaken region. There were so many.
XXX
The second time he heard of this young upstart, it was not from a report but from television.
"And that's another victory for the conquering trainer, Red Satoshi!"
"Straight out of Sinnoh, he seems intent on taking Kanto next, eh Rob?"
"Couldn't have said it better myself, John! This is his second badge now, is that right, John?"
"You are absolutely right, Rob! However, I did not notice any of his staples from the tournament. How about you, Rob?"
"You are quite right! Other than his iconic Pikachu, his last two matches used a Pidgey and a Caterpie."
"Now that's inte-"
Giovanni tuned out the rest of the conversation the moment they mentioned a Pikachu. He was underneath Celadon City's Game Corner. His grunts were watching Pokemon TV, languidly tuning in for anything of interest. Giovanni did not care for such things yet the thought of a Pikachu did remind him of the report many weeks ago. The crime boss took in the sight of the trainer.
Black hair, amber eyes, and tanned skin. Nothing out of the ordinary. Looked completely like any average trainer searching for badges though the Pikachu on his shoulder contently perched for the entire TV to behold did make him a bit different, he supposed.
A Pikachu, Pidgey, and Caterpie.
He scoffed.
Those were some of the most common Pokemon within Kanto. Some could even consider a few of these pests, that was how numerous they were. Those commentators were all talk if they were praising something so common. Despite his thoughts, however, the trainer did have a cult following, even from his own recruits. Some would comment on the child's rather unorthodox tactics or his latest victories.
It may be impressive to those who have not experienced a true Pokemon battle, but it barely registered in Giovanni's mind.
He had bigger plans than watching little children fight for the world's entertainment.
He looked at the notes in his hand and gave a contemplative hum. He was invited to a cruise ship along with his fellow gym leaders and a myriad of strong trainers. Plenty of Pokemon to take, several of them coming from some of the promising upstarts like that Lance child. Now that was a trainer worth acknowledging. His Dragonair was nothing short of magnificent and such a rare specimen would be desired.
He'd need a suitable plan to take it and everything else on board.
"And that Pikachu wins again! Is there anything that the little electric rodent cannot do, Rob?"
"From what we've seen, John, there may not!"
Giovanni massaged his head as his grunts cheered, the television reverberating with the sound of electricity and a fierce 'Pika!'
Honestly, what's so special about a Pikachu?
XXX
Lance liked to consider himself a simple sort of guy.
Maybe not as simple as his fellow rival and trainer, Bruno, but he liked to think that he wasn't as pompous as several elite trainers his age. He only had a few desires.
Battle strong trainers, win or lose, thank them for the match and then move on. Train, learn, collect eight badges, right injustices along the way, win the league, challenge the Elite Four, and defeat the current champion.
That was how it should be and in Lance's mind, the invitation to battle strong trainers in the S.S. Anne helped him with that. So he went, he greeted his surprising amount of fans (he was still not used to this amount of attention in his twelve-year-old life), and met with several familiar faces. He greeted Bruno heartily, nodded politely at Lorelei, talked with Surge and Koga, and respectfully shook hands with Blaine and Giovanni.
Plenty of strong trainers. Lance nodded to himself as he started eating the delicious food the ship offered to him. It was already shaping up to be a good day.
That was when Lance met him for the first time.
It was much to his surprise that as he ate, a boy nighs his age joined him. Black hair, amber eyes, lightly tanned skin; he looked like any other trainer from Kanto. The Pikachu perched on his shoulders certainly didn't help matters. He didn't recognize him and the boy's indifference also suggested the same.
Mentally, Lance gave the boy a nod of gratitude. Ever since his impressive debut into the Pokemon battling world, he was swamped with constant attention. The future Dragon Master of Kanto, many like to call him. The future Champion, his most fervent fans would say. While he was grateful for the support, he was still awkward about the zealous focus on his career.
He would improve in time, he was sure, but until then, any moment of normalcy was greatly appreciated.
"I'm Red."
Lance blinked in surprise when the boy introduced himself. He straightened his back and offered his hand. "Lance."
Red took it with a smile, unknowing of Lance's inquisitive gaze on his features. No sign of awe or recognition at his name. How strange. "Will you be fighting below deck as well?"
Now that was a topic he could get behind!
"Yes," Lance gave an excited grin. "That's what I am here for mostly. The food's great but I find the thrill of fighting strong trainers more up my alley." Lance chuckled apologetically.
He couldn't help it. As a young child, he had watched the awe-inspiring battles from the previous champions of Kanto. They reached the pinnacle of what it meant to be a Pokemon trainer. He'd be like that one day. He'd make sure of it.
Red, in response, gave a small laugh. "I understand. That's what I'm also here for."
"You were invited too?" Lance blinked at that. This particular event only served noteworthy trainers. Perhaps Lance had been living under a rock this entire time, but the only person he knew invited to this event that used a Pikachu was Surge.
"Yes," Red smiled, "spare me a battle down there, eh, Lance?"
"I should warn you," Lance challenged back with a grin, "I don't hold back."
"I wouldn't want anything less."
He's confident, Lance noted. Is it simple arrogance or did he have the power to back it up?
The thought only made Lance eager. Only those with some level of power were invited to this ship, after all. He'd see soon enough. Best to get food in his stomach before it begins. With a strange sense of competition over their heads, they returned to their meals, the silence replaced with an excitable atmosphere.
He glanced at the calm and confident trainer beside him, curious as a Persian at the boy's boundless energy. They talked and ate, comparing each other's journeys and experiences.
He learned a lot.
Lance had to take a moment to appreciate Red's nigh endless supply of information about Pokemon and the myriad regions. What kind of life did he live to know so much at a young age? What kind of child would speak about the regions of the Pokemon world with a familiarity that almost felt like experience? The thought confused and excited him.
His fingers twitched towards the pokeball of his most trustworthy Pokemon. Just how strong are you, Red?
Only one way to find out.
XXX
When it was finally time to showcase the promising new generation of trainers to the spectators watching for sport, Lance was among the first to head below deck. The shiny opulent fields set up for them were meant to help display all the battles taking place for everyone to see. He knew what he was getting into, accepting such an invitation but he convinced himself that it was something he needed to get used to. Exhibition matches were common. People wanted to watch trainers fight. No problem.
He scanned all of his potential opponents with a speculative eye. One must know the competition to compete and just like the dragon-types he was known for, he was the most competitive of them all.
Bruno and Lorelei would be challenging to fight as usual. Bruno's rough but effective training forged an insurmountable bond between trainer and Pokemon. Lorelei's cold and calculated actions were a constant thorn in his side, her type advantage notwithstanding. Koga and Surge were always a good fight, even if Lance thought that he could take them. He was about to choose an opponent when that unusual trainer, Red, walked up to Bruno and challenged him to a battle.
He paused and looked at him inquisitively. It seemed Bruno was surprised as well as his large friend gave a hearty laugh and agreed after a moment's silence.
Now this is interesting, Lance mused, It may be better to sit and watch first.
Loathe as Lance was to admit it, but information was the key to victory. He learned that the experiences of loss only made him stronger, wiser. He promised Red a fight and he was not one to back out from his promises. Nodding to himself at his logic, Lance crossed his arms and watched.
"I hope you've got more than a Pikachu to back up your talk," Bruno grinned as he sat down on his side of the battlefield, "I've been looking for a good warmup before I fight Lance. Don't disappoint me."
The normally imposing young boy didn't seem to deter Red as he gave a lighthearted laugh. "I'll try my best not to." He took out a pokeball and sent out a Pidgey.
Lance blinked at the option. While he understood the type advantage, Bruno had trained his Pokemon to handle the common Kanto threats like the Pidgey evolution line. Lance gave a light cough as he gave a confused look at Red. Why couldn't it have at least been a Pidgeotto? What kind of elite trainer picked a Pidgey against the likes of Bruno, one of the strongest trainers of his age?
It seemed Bruno thought the same, giving a disappointed frown before throwing his pokeball.
"Give it all you got, Machoke."
"Do your best, Pidgey."
The battle began in earnest and all prior analysis of Red's Pokemon was thrown out of the proverbial window the moment a billowing sandstorm blanketed the battlefield. Lance gave a confused look before analyzing what was in front of him. What exactly happened? He had never seen a Pidgey do that before.
The shock seemed to have echoed to Bruno as his expression turned serious when he heard the grunted pain of Machoke behind the cloud of sand and dust, the familiar sound of a Wing Attack slamming into the fighting-type.
It took a moment for the experienced dragon-type trainer to understand what had happened. Liberal use of Sand Attack combined with Gust created a makeshift cloud that blocked the vision of the trainer, forcing them to rely on their other senses to fend for themselves. He gave an impressed nod at the tactic. Against a superior opponent, it was better to take as many advantages away from them instead of building up your power.
Red decided to control the battlefield, to hold as many of the cards as possible.
And he did precisely that.
"Machoke, defensive position. Grab that bird out of the air."
"Quick Attack and follow it with a Wing Attack."
To Lance, the battle was not a noble duel between two equally powerful Pokemon. No, this was a brawl, nothing held back with as many deceptive tricks thrown in as possible. Pidgey was merciless, like a rogue in the night, it hid and struck at the most opportune times and like an unwilling warrior, Machoke could do nothing but endure.
This was not something Bruno had experience handling, his style was more focused on brute strength and head-on battles and the clouded vision forced Bruno to multitask in ways that he had rarely done since his fighting career a few years back.
And it worked wondrously for Red.
Pidgey's resourceful use of Quick Attack struck Machoke, the guerilla tactics forcing the fighter back in a grace that he had rarely seen in the bird. The forceful Wing Attacks struck home more times than Lance would like to admit and as Machoke's vision weakened from the bombardments of sand, it was an inevitable conclusion to the stunned Bruno.
The great fighting-type fell to the ground, its arms flailing around in one last-ditch effort to grab the elusive bird.
It was all for naught.
Bruno gave a feral grin as he sent his next Pokemon. Lance knew that look well. He was beginning to get serious and rightfully so.
"Come on out, Hitmonlee!"
The fight continued where it left off and the tables turned the moment the swift fighting-type bolted after the flying Pidgey. Like a nimble martial artist, it was more than a match for the featherweight rogue that was the small bird.
It didn't take long as the great leaps and Hi Jump Kicks eventually caught up to the fleeing Pokemon. The blood-pumping chase of the duo forced Red to change tactics. The boy knew that trying to evade the much more experienced Pokemon was fruitless and decided to go for a head-on assault.
The sudden change surprised both Bruno and Hitmonlee, and Pidgey's efforts should be applauded for while the shock landed a few powerful Wing Attacks, it eventually fell in battle. Bruno was in his element in confrontations and this was no different.
"Charmander."
The fire-type starter didn't waste time following his trainer's orders and the battlefield was once more covered with a cloud meant for obscuring vision. Instead of dust and sand, smoke cloaked the field as the Charmander began its offensive.
"Not this again," Bruno grinned, "I won't fall for the same trick twice. Hitmonlee, Foresight!"
The fighting-type's legs could be heard slamming into something as a Double Kick sent Charmander flying. The Pokemon didn't let up its assault as it kept up the momentum with plenty of follow-up strikes and blows. One formidable Hi Jump Kick cracked into the poor fire-type with the force of a cannonball.
That didn't seem to deter Red at all. In fact, he continued with his efforts. The fire-tailed lizard slowly got up and dodged out of the way of Hitmonlee's barrage of attacks. At the rate this was going, the Charmander was going to fall. Lance gave Red some credit though. Due to the Charmander's advantage in size, its small frame allowed it to move around much more easily, something that the Charmander's trainer exploited.
It looked like this was going to be the end for the starter.
Then Charmander managed to grab onto one of Hitmonlee's legs and Lance blanched.
"Wha-get him off you, Hitmonlee!"
"Dragon Breath."
Like a cowboy riding a wild Tauros, Charmander held onto the fighting-type with an iron grip as draconic fire flailed around his opponent. The proximity singed the poor Pokemon while the Hitmonlee did its best to send the Charmander flying.
Lance winced as the continuous use of Dragon Breath finally exhausted Bruno's Pokemon, forcing the hyperactive kicker to the ground, defeated.
Bruno grumbled as he returned his Pokemon. "What kind of trick was that?"
Red gave a small laugh and shrugged.
The disgruntled Bruno sent out his next Pokemon. "We won't fall to any more tricks!"
"Duly noted."
A kicker was soon replaced by a puncher.
"Send them flying, Hitmonchan!"
Smack!
That's got to hurt.
He was sent flying as Lance watched the Charmander soar through the air the moment the fighting-type reached its target. From the hits it took from Hitmonlee along with its desperate will to cling on to the kicking Pokemon, that singular punch, unfortunately, sent the lizard packing. Red rushed towards his Charmander, checking for any grievous wounds before smiling softly as he returned him. He nodded to Bruno before calling out his final pick.
"Primeape."
In a shocking turn of events, Lance had to take a second look when Red sent out his last and final Pokemon. The fighting monkey released a challenging call at the Hitmonchan, his fists raised in its own fighter's stance. Hitmonchan gave out its own cry, the Fist Pokemon all too happy to oblige Primeape's taunts.
If Bruno was pumped before, he was excited now. The muscular boy sent one respectful nod at Red, the black-haired trainer reciprocating. There were no words exchanged between them. They knew what their Pokemon wanted and neither trainer was going to stop it from happening.
Lance almost forgot to breathe from the spectacle as two fellow warriors clashed. There were no tricks like in the previous two fights, there was no deception, no tactical acumen at play; there were only fists, kicks, and pure, unaltered force. Not many trainers could face Bruno's Pokemon head-on. Even Lance would struggle to meet him man to man.
Yet Red's Primeape did.
This was a boxing match, a battle of not just muscle but spirit and he had front-row seats.
Punch after punch was met with chops and kicks. Sliding and moving like a Pokemon possessed, the Primeape sent Karate Chops and Low Kicks at the nimble boxer, who was all too happy to match it with his own Mach Punches. Their strikes were like a blur, the only sound from their battle was the reverberation of fists meeting flesh.
The tension was rising as neither Pokemon budged, determination rising from the guts that radiated off of them. Lance would always have a bias toward dragon-types, but at this moment, he had to acknowledge and praise the fighting spirit that was uniquely theirs. Only a Pokemon of their type can radiate such pressure, but even that pressure had to spill eventually.
One of them needed to budge and the trainers knew this. Red and Bruno's eyes gleamed, their voices pitched.
"Sky Uppercut, Hitmonchan!"
"Seismic Toss!"
There was a harsh smacking of flesh as Primeape endured a punch that could break stone. The stubborn monkey fighter grabbed the boxer in one final bout of madness and sent Bruno's Pokemon to the air, only to bring it back down in a toss that formed a small crater.
Lance had to give a small gasp when both Pokemon rose from their exhausted forms and stared each other down once more.
There was a pregnant pause. Both trainers held their breath.
A body fell.
Primeape screeched in victory.
XXX
"You and I are going to be the best of friends."
Lance chuckled when Bruno wrapped one of his arms around Red's shoulders, the strong boy grinning as he declared Red his new rival and fellow brother in their journeys to become Pokemon masters. He almost laughed at Red's look of honest confusion.
"If you battle just as well against me just as you did against Bruno, then you might have a chance at winning." It was the truth. Lance smiled as he watched Red get manhandled by the excitable Bruno.
"Not scared at all?" Red grinned back.
"The exact opposite."
Bruno laughed as he patted both of their backs, his force almost sending Lance and Red tumbling, "You shouldn't underestimate Red now, Lance. If he can beat me, he can most certainly take you down too."
"I would never," Lance affirmed, his grin growing as the trio continued talking more. When was the last time he got to become this carefree? After constantly being shown in the spotlight, it was a welcome relief to not always be hailed as a prodigy for once.
Eventually, the three split off to do more battles. Lance decimated the competition around him, his Dragonair leaving nothing but victories in his wake. He was like the dragons he embodied; overwhelming, powerful, and unbending. That strength seemed to have scared off many more challengers and for once, he was able to take a deep breath and gather his thoughts.
Lance's eyes wandered to the strange Pokemon trainer. Despite holding three badges, Red seemed to walk with an experience that no child their age had. He could see the boy battling Lorelei in the corner, his confident demeanor and chaotic tactics flustering his normally stoic and tactical rival.
Now Lance was not one that always kept track of the latest trends, but even he could see that Red had to be someone with at least some infamy. Maybe not in Kanto, but perhaps he was some talent from another region. That didn't explain his honest familiarity with his home region and its customs nor his use of Pokemon, but that was the only thing that could explain the skill that Red held.
And it was certainly skill, Lance did not doubt that. Bruno and Lorelei started their journeys at very similar times as him and he would happily call them the best and strongest trainers that he'd ever battled within his age group.
Red matched them both.
It was clear to see, even as Lance watched Red's Squirtle face off against Lorelei's Dewgong. The turtle Pokemon finished off the last of Lorelei's with an odd combination of Withdraw and Water Gun, the Pokemon's shell twirling around in some sort of abnormal fusion of offense and defense.
Lance chuckled as he played with Dragonair's pokeball.
It seemed about the right time to ask Red for a battle. He couldn't help the smile that grew on his face at the thought of facing another strong trainer. Maybe Bruno was rubbing off on him a bit too much.
He took a step forward and then the world was covered in smoke.
XXX
There were times when Giovanni knew instinctively that something was wrong. This instinct had helped him several times during his rise as Team Rocket's boss and as he watched the dozens of Wheezings and Koffings release plumes of the noxious gas all over the ship, something told him that things might not go according to plan.
His Team Rocket grunts were precise and formidable. Disguised as the employees on board the S.S. Anne, the element of surprise along with the trainers' exhausted state due to the excess of battling were key factors that Giovanni exploited to its fullest potential. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up, so he only brought some of the elites of his organization in the hopes of increasing the chances of success.
Everything was going according to plan at first. His grunts already took several of the elite's Pokemon, including that Lance child's Dragonair. The other gym leaders scrambled to bring order to this chaos, but such a well-executed attack even caught them unaware.
Giovanni was one of the first to have their Pokemon stolen. A decent enough alibi. He had to clear himself of suspicion or this would be for naught. He simply had to watch the proceedings and hope his grunts wouldn't mess it up.
The coughing around him grew as people fled into a panic.
The smokescreen disoriented the trainers, buying his grunts precious time to take as much as possible. There were priority targets that each grunt knew. Capture the rarest Pokemon first, disable any of the trainers' chances of success by taking their best off their hands.
That was all well and good.
But Giovanni forgot one important thing.
Plans rarely survived first contact with the enemy.
The first signs that something was amiss happened when he heard several of his grunts fall in battle paired with the thundering sound of crackling electricity. His arms instinctively covered his eyes as something blew through the Koffing's and Wheezing's gaseous battlefield. He had a moment to see a blur of an electric rodent crashing into the grunts' Pokemon like a freight train, Iron Tail readily in hand.
Is it Surge's Pikachu? Giovanni grimaced before watching the rat cause discord among his ranks. No, Surge is good but not even he's brass enough to send his Pikachu charging in like this.
He had watched several trainers of note battle, and Surge was one of the noteworthy ones. The teenager's Pikachu had been a constant contestant during this event. It should have been tired! Instead, this Pikachu had enough energy to do battle with the myriad of grunts in this ship.
Something was not right and all it took was a glance at where Pikachu came from to understand how.
That was when he recognized this boy for the third time.
A child, twelve years at most, held a shaken Lorelei, the kid giving a small frown as he watched his Pikachu cause a gigantic ruckus around him.
Of course, it was that brat.
Somehow, Giovanni was not surprised.
Pikachu's distraction shifted the tide of battle. It didn't take long for the rest of the trainers to recover from the ambush and begin their counterattack. The electric glow of Pikachu was like a ray of hope, the native Kanto Pokemon's precise Iron Tail cleaving through any resistance. Grunts fell, Pokemon were freed, and any advantages Team Rocket had at that very moment were gone like the wind.
Giovanni was tempted to massage the side of his head but decided against it. It would be poor manners.
"I believe these are yours."
He turned to the sound of the voice and saw said trainer smirking, holding several pokeballs in his hand towards him.
Heh. What an annoying kid. Giovanni gave a grin of his own. "Thank you." He took back his Pokemon lazily. "I'm afraid we haven't met, young man. I'm Giovanni."
"Red."
"An odd name."
Red didn't seem too bothered by his words. "You get used to it." The boom of thunder and the crashing of lightning reverberated in the background, yet both didn't care as they stared each other down. "You're the Viridian Gym Leader."
A statement. He already knew. Giovanni nodded, "I am."
Red's smirk only seemed to grow larger. "I've been saving you for my eighth gym badge. Wait for me."
Giovanni almost guffawed at the audacity of this child. His ambition was respectable. "I'll be waiting."
The boy gave a quick nod before running off, no doubt to help stave off the Team Rocket threat.
Giovanni watched him go, the crime boss's thoughts beginning to wander.
Red, huh?
When he watched his performance against Bruno, the boy did have some talent in battle. Enough to take on one of the rising stars of Kanto and come out victorious. At first, he thought of it as a mere fluke, but maybe there was something more.
He remembered the last two encounters with this child's reputation. He ruefully chuckled, even as he heard more and more of that booming thunder in the distance.
He really shouldn't have doubted that Pikachu.
XXX
Cynthia was in a Pokemon Center when it happened. The television was wide and open for all trainers to see. She was enjoying some soup, her Pokemon chowing down on the food offered within the building. She couldn't help but think about Red, reminiscing about the journeys they'd experienced together and apart.
I wonder what he's doing right now, Cynthia pondered, taking a spoonful of soup into her mouth. They'd religiously called each other when they got the chance after their split into different regions. She always enjoyed their talks and it was nice to speak to someone from her home. She would admit to being a little homesick once in a while.
"We've just received a report from Kanto that a trainer that goes by Red Satoshi has just foiled a plot from Team Rocket to kidnap the Pokemon in the S.S. Anne!" The screen showed an image of an embarrassed twelve-year-old stepping out of a cruise ship with police officers detaining the bound grunts, "More news at eleven!"
She choked on her soup.
XXX
"Cynthia, have I got something to te-"
"You can be so reckless sometimes, Red."
Red winced and gave a soft laugh, scratching the back of his head. She could see his image clearly from across the screen. It didn't take long for Red to contact her in the nearest Pokemon Center. Good for him, because he's got a lot of explaining to do. "I take it you already know?"
"Know?" Cynthia gave a small pout, "It reached Hoenn and I am pretty sure Pokemon TV hasn't stopped talking about your escapades in the past few hours."
"To be fair, I was just at the right place at the right time. Completely coincidental, I assure you."
Uh-huh.
"And saving that Trainer School a few months back was coincidental too," Cynthia rolled her eyes, "or the time you stopped Team Rocket from taking that one child's Pokemon a few weeks ago, or that tim-"
"Okay, I get it," Red sighed in exasperation, "I did tell you I was a magnet for trouble."
"When you said trouble, I wasn't expecting this!" Cynthia frowned, crossing her arms. Honestly Red, no twelve-year-old should be doing things like stopping an international crime syndicate. It should be up to the police! Not people like them. "The other times are okay. It wasn't that big of a deal. I know how strong you are, but stopping some of Team Rocket's elites from taking some Pokemon in the S.S. Anne takes the cake for recklessness."
"I couldn't not do anything, Cynthia."
"And I am not telling you not to," Cynthia's eyes softened at her rival's determined gaze. "I am just telling you to be more cautious. I don't want to lose my first rival because of Team Rocket."
"You're worried about me."
"W-Well, should I not be? I am just looking out for your well-being as my rival!" Cynthia shook her head hotly. "We're friends! Friends don't like seeing each other get hurt!"
"I understand," Red smiled before nodding seriously. "Don't worry, Cynthia. I know just how dangerous Team Rocket is. I promise to be more careful in the future. I know when to back out."
Good, because if her rival's penchant for trouble somehow got him injured, she wouldn't know what to do. He was one of the few people connected to Sinnoh that she could talk to; relate to. She didn't want that to end.
"Now tell me about this Steven Stones fellow that you've met. Is he strong?"
Cynthia perked up at the change of subject and began sharing her adventures with the attentive rival. They chatted throughout the day, enjoying the comfortable atmosphere that developed between them. Hoenn had been a marvelous experience and having someone to apprise her tales with was something she'd enjoyed during her journey throughout the region.
When it was finally time to depart, Red gave one final cheeky goodbye before she headed back into her room in the Pokemon Center. She still had to train for the Petalburg Gym. That Balance Badge will be hers, she'd make sure of it.
XXX
Ever since that day within the S.S. Anne, Giovanni had his ears out for news on the infamous Pokemon trainer that caught his attention. Any notable endeavors would be noted, his progress to collect Pokemon badges tracked, and parts of his journey notified. It wasn't anything illegal. He hadn't used his contacts to stalk the kid or to hack into the Pokemon League database for personal information, nothing of the sort.
It was just idle curiosity and it wasn't that hard to find information on him. He wasn't surprised to see a small following already keeping track of the mysterious trainer's progress. Strong trainers normally have such a following. Lance had an abnormally large one in Kanto. This Red had a much more subdued and smaller reputation.
It was still present, however, and Giovanni couldn't help but smirk as he thought of the months that passed by.
He'd been garnering a reputation for stopping his organization every few weeks or so. From the reports, it seemed that the boy was there coincidentally when a theft was taking place. Even among his recruits, people would regale their tales of how a young kid's Pikachu would put a stop to any robberies.
It was more amusing and less of an annoyance. One kid couldn't stop the criminal activities of an organization that spanned all of Kanto.
"And Charmeleon roars into battle! Golly, John, that thing looks monstrous!"
"It has been a constant in Red's side during his tour of the Kanto Region, Rob. A very reliable fighter that has won Red many of his bouts!"
"It looks like Red decided to fight fire with fire, eh, John?"
"A fitting start for his challenge against his seventh gym leader, Blaine of Cinnabar Island! Will the challenger get the Volcano Badge? Stay tuned, folks!"
Giovanni glanced at the television in his office. The child had done well, traveling and obtaining the badges needed for the league. His Pokemon were well-trained and the boy's collected expression only echoed what many others thought of him. He was a talented one. He had that sort of fire not many trainers have.
It reminded Giovanni of himself. The sudden thought gave him pause. He scoffed at the thought. His time as a Pokemon trainer was long gone.
He couldn't help but watch though, as Red battled tooth and nail against the widely regarded gym leader of Cinnabar. Charmeleon and Wartortle fought fiercely against the unbending and ruthless style of the fire master and when they too fell, Pidgeot carried the torch, his aerial supremacy putting up an impressive fight from where his previous partners left off.
Then Magmortar came and began turning the tides of battle.
Giovanni wasn't one to watch Pokemon battles. Not anymore. He was normally too busy leading Team Rocket to a prosperous future. Yet his eyes were glued to the screen as Red's determination was clear to see. It was a familiar look. He wore that same expression numerous times in his life.
It captivated him when Red's prominent grin bloomed with Magmortar's entrance.
It stunned him when Red kept fighting even against the overwhelming foe ahead.
It impressed him when his Pikachu met said overwhelming foe with equal strength.
And it silenced him when he came out the victor of the exchange.
"I can't believe it, folks! Red has just won his seventh gym badge! The Volcano Badge is his!"
"He just can't be stopped! I wonder just who will he challenge next?"
I've been saving you for my eighth gym badge. Wait for me.
I'll be waiting.
For once, Giovanni looked at the drawer containing some of his oldest Pokemon.
A feeling that he hadn't felt in years started blossoming in his chest.
That desire to be the very best, like no one ever was.
Heh, Giovanni ruefully smiled, I guess I still have it in me.
As a crime boss, patience was a virtue that helped him many times. It wouldn't be different here. He'd be waiting, alright. If Red wanted a battle, he'd happily oblige.
XXX
The last time he would ever meet Red for many years to come came, but he was ready for it all the same.
"Sir, a challenger wishes to battle you for the Earth Badge."
"Do we know whom it is?"
"He called himself Red Satoshi of Celestic Town."
Giovanni looked at the pokeball of his oldest friend.
"I'll be right there."
XXX
The kid matured. That was the first thing he noticed when he descended to meet him. It wasn't obvious. He still looked like the youth many months ago, but he could tell that he was going to take this battle as seriously as Giovanni was.
Good. He'd be insulted otherwise.
"It's nice to meet you again, Red."
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long, Giovanni."
"Not at all," Giovanni grinned, standing at the opposite side of the stadium, "Would you be fine with a six-on-six battle, Red?"
"Not exactly a normal gym battle then."
"Amuse me for this one fight."
"Very well," Red readily agreed.
One of his grunts came to referee the match. "To the right, we have Challenger Red of Celestic Town! To the left, we have Gym Leader Giovanni of the Viridian Gym. The battle will be six on six with the victor going to the one who defeats all of them or until the challenger forfeits. Any questions? Then let the match begin."
"Nidoking."
"Infernape."
Giovanni's eyes widened at the choice. "A Sinnoh Pokemon."
"Surprised?"
Giovanni responded with a grin, "A welcome one."
The battle began without further notice and the carnage already caused dust to billow around them. His Nidoking came forth like a rampaging beast bent on breaking all opposition for his trainer. It was his very first one, caught and trained since it was a humble Nidoran.
The Infernape met it with a Mach Punch to the face.
His great beast took the punch with barely a flinch and reacted accordingly with a Fury Attack of his own.
The battle broke the field due to its brutality. His Nidoking had no mercy for its opponents and his experience rising to the top of a criminal empire only strengthened his already impressive portfolio.
Infernape didn't care. His defiance was impressive and both Pokemon fought with exemplary ferocity. Scarred experience refined with a venomous mind fought burning fighting spirit forged from heated combat.
Nidoking grabbed the Infernape with surprising speed and struck his foe with fierce Double Kicks. The wild Pokemon responded in kind with a burning torrent of fire from Flamethrower. His beast threw the Infernape to the floor and began brawling with it, no holds barred.
"Dig."
"Catch him, Nidoking."
The brutality of his Pokemon came through again and with surprisingly nimble claws, snatched the Infernape's tail before it escaped into the earth. The purple monstrosity slammed him repeatedly on the floor until the super-heated fires of Flamethrower became too much to handle for the poison-type. The Infernape's challenging roar as his mane of flames burst with unrestrained might told him that its Blaze had activated.
The Infernape dug down the moment it escaped. That didn't deter him.
"Focus Energy."
The Infernape resorted to guerilla tactics. Instead of matching his beast in a contest of strength, it decided to hold down the fort through deception. Giovanni was no stranger to this. He had fought many like it and as his Nidoking was repeatedly attacked by all angles using a combination of Dig and Close Combat, Giovanni decided enough was enough.
"Grab the ape, Nidoking."
Like a predator spotting his prey, the poison-type turned with a speed that would have shocked any trainer. It pinned down the fire-type with all his might. Red didn't seem too bothered by the display nor was he surprised at the strength and speed Nidoking displayed. He must have quite the poker face. Giovanni could respect that.
Both Pokemon struggled and as Infernape retaliated with the heat and force of a thousand suns, Nidoking only endured with the patience and overwhelming strength of a mountain.
In the end, both Pokemon fell, the Blaze-empowered Infernape cracking his notoriously monstrous Nidoking.
"Kangaskhan."
"Primeape."
The ape screeched.
The challenge was heard. Kangaskhan obliged.
Similar to Nidoking, the giant normal-type rampaged directly towards the monkey fighter. Primeape met it face to face. Giovanni smirked as rage began bubbling through Kangaskhan's mighty form. That Primeape truly was a brave one to match it.
A Mega Punch met Karate Chop.
Outrage clashed with Close Combat.
The energy of the previous fight transferred here, his Kangaskhan showing a very similar style of brutality as the last. Red met it head-on, his Primeape refusing to back down from the older, experienced fighter.
With nimble movements that would surpass any wild Primeape, the monkey jabbed, kicked, and chopped at the fervent beast, draconic energy cloaking the giant normal-type.
Kangaskhan didn't hold back any punches. Giovanni was pretty sure she couldn't as the Pokemon's Outrage rammed into the Primeape akin to a warrior possessed. Red grimaced when he heard the smacking of flesh. Not many can survive the intense strength of Outrage.
Primeape screeched as it got back up from the beatdown. Kangaskhan wouldn't let it. She refused and the draconic-imbued Pokemon slammed down again.
Primeape rose again. Kangaskhan pushed it back down.
It rose again.
Smack!
And again.
Smack!
And again!
Smack!
Giovanni had never seen such a stubborn Pokemon. Eventually, however, Kangaskhan's momentum diminished, and the abuse from its wrathful state changed into confusion. A shame. He wanted to end the fight in a single Outrage.
"Get close, Primeape. Close Combat."
"Get out of there, Kangaskhan."
His confused ally couldn't comprehend his orders and he closed his eyes as the sound of fists meeting hardened flesh echoed across the arena.
The giant slammed into the ground, unconscious.
Giovanni stared back at Red as he sent out his next Pokemon. Despite the chaotic mess of an Outrage, the child didn't falter.
"Nidoqueen."
"Get close, Primeape."
Thunder rocketed the battlefield as his Nidoqueen forged a storm within the arena with discharged electricity. Primeape was forced to back off from the chaotic elemental ferocity that was Nidoqueen.
Primeape's agility was a boon, his speed staving off most of the damage that erupted from Nidoqueen's Thunder.
That didn't bother him. It would fall soon enough. When the monkey fighter came close, he was ready for it.
It came raging, a Karate Chop already positioned. His Nidoqueen took the attack right in the face, barely registering the blow as it grabbed the Primeape and with one unrelenting Superpower ended the threat in an instant.
Red gave a smile at that.
He wasn't going to take that lying down, Giovanni knew.
"Ivysaur."
The Kanto starter stared down at the giant Nidoqueen. A defiant little thing. Giovanni gave an amused hum as both Pokemon roared in challenge. It was brave, he'd give it that.
But bravery doesn't necessarily mean strength. Giovanni pointed at the Ivysaur. "Earth Power."
The ground under Ivysaur began to erupt like a bomb set off, only for the Pokemon to use its vines to propel itself towards Nidoqueen, exploiting its small frame for maximum speed. Giovanni inwardly applauded. Red trained his Pokemon to their advantages.
When Ivysaur's vines latched onto Nidoqueen with a speed so frightening it momentarily stunned Giovanni, it started going downhill from there.
The grass-type was all over the Nidoqueen like a berserker. Its smaller stature allowed it to survive the grappling and crushing strength of Nidoqueen. Strength didn't matter if they could not hit the target. A very high risk, high reward strategy which seemed to be Red's bread and butter.
Electricity crackled around Nidoqueen, the lightning surrounding the beast in great waves. With the proximity of Ivysaur, it would be guaranteed to land, but the berserk Ivysaur didn't seem to care. It only wanted one thing.
To completely devastate the Nidoqueen before it.
Giovanni would have praised its brutality if it wasn't targeted directly at his Pokemon.
Thunder reigned yet the Kanto starter kept attacking, taking the electric attack full blast.
When it was all over, Ivysaur fell to the ground fried.
Giovanni nodded, only to pause when Nidoqueen stumbled as well before falling unconscious.
There's never a dull moment, is there?
He returned his Pokemon, the red light coating her. He pocketed the beast and smirked. "I must commend your Pokemon, Red. Every single one has proved themselves to be quite stubborn little things."
"They take after me," Red gave an indulgent smile, "people say that I'm as dense as a Golem."
"I can see that." Giovanni threw his pokeball. "Come on out, Golem."
Red almost laughed when the chosen Pokemon came out. "I guess I was asking for that."
"You are in a ground-type gym."
"Kangaskhan wasn't a ground-type."
Giovanni smiled, "I hope you won't tell the league about that."
"I've seen and gotten badges in stranger ways," Red shrugged and threw out his own, "I won't say a thing."
Buizel rushed forward.
The battle between Golem and Buizel was like an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.
The liberal use of Earthquake forced the water-type off the ground, propelling itself upward with Aqua Jet. It was something Giovanni noticed during the entire match. He always seemed to match his unbending style with speed and finesse.
Brutal pragmatism met with agile offense.
It worked in Red's favor. Giovanni doubted that Red's less experienced Pokemon could have met his old guard head to head. It was the deceit, the chaotic strategies that allowed Red to battle him.
And he enjoyed it.
Pokemon battles were simply an obstacle to get through. He stopped considering them as entertainment and more of a chore. Even as a gym leader, it was only a way to cover his criminal activities. He would send out registered League Pokemon, face the trainer, and win or lose, the cycle would repeat itself.
It wasn't every day that he could start using some of his older, more experienced Pokemon. Not many could deal with them and such one-sided battles only served to save his time and little else.
This was different.
Those little tricks, the creative ways to face off against another powerful opponent. He remembered when he did those. His normally stoic expression had a hint of excitement as the battlefield was covered in dust, Sonic Boom crashing into the ground. The Buizel had not touched the ground since the start of the battle, its expert use of Aqua Jet allowing it to stay aloft like some bastardized bird.
The Rock Blasts couldn't reach the water-type and the type advantage only served to cement the inevitable.
SMACK!
The Golem gave out as a well-timed Aqua Jet came crashing down like a torpedo.
"Rhyperior."
Stone Edges rained and Hammer Arms came forth. Buizel tried to dodge it but his Rhyperior was once his ace Pokemon. When Buizel zigzagged its way towards it, he only had to nod to his Rhyperior for it to grab it mid-air and smash through it with a deadly Drill Run.
Rhyperior slammed Buizel to the ground and didn't let up lest the Buizel gained its bearing. Stone Edges bombarded the water-type. Megahorn and Hammer Arms kept it down.
Giovanni raised an eyebrow when the Buizel began twirling around, a counter shield forcing even his mighty Rhyperior at bay.
It didn't matter in the end. Buizel's swirling defense slowed and Rhyperior decided to end it there.
Smack.
Like an executioner, the defeat was swift.
"Gabite."
The dragon-type gave out a roar at its release, the smaller beast uncaring for the sheer presence of Rhyperior.
Rhyperior met it without preamble. It reached the dragon and used its bulk to face the draconic fighter, Pokemon to Pokemon.
Deserving of its fame, Gabite matched the power of Rhyperior with its own. Dragon Claws contested with his Hammer Arm. Stone Edges met Flamethrower. Drill Run collided with Bulldoze.
It was a clash of the titans and Giovanni relished in every single second of it.
When two greater powers fought, one had to eventually give in and his Rhyperior was nowhere close to being finished. With a giant heave, his Rhyperior rushed and forced Gabite to its knees. With no time to recover, the Rhyperior's hefty limbs smashed into the dragon like a freight train.
His old ace Pokemon didn't let up, smashing and pummeling the dragon for all its worth. No second was wasted.
There was no force that any type could radiate like that of the enduring earth. That was why he chose this type, this force of nature that no other could match. The ground below them held stability, patience, and a rock-iron will. All traits that Giovanni admired.
"Draco Meteor right at Rhyperior's face."
His thoughts crashed just like the draconic energy that smashed into his Pokemon's face.
The smaller dragon used the last of its strength to force its claws deep into the shoulders of Rhyperior. Like a shotgun of highly reactive explosives, there was an immense explosion that sent the Rhyperior reeling.
Gabite sent a glare at Rhyperior, roaring one final battle cry before fainting on the spot. His Rhyperior looked disgruntled from the blast but held steady.
"You never fail to impress."
"I learned from some of the best."
Heh. He wondered who would do something so stupid as sending a Draco Meteor anywhere but up. "They must have been a one-of-a-kind trainer."
"Yeah," Red agreed, his Pikachu leaping off his shoulder to confront his own, "She was one of a kind."
For all the seriousness Red displayed in this fight, that nostalgic expression caught Giovanni off guard. Heh. Well, he supposed some things never change. "Stone Edge."
SCHIIIIIIIIINK.
In an instant, that electric rodent was already in front of Rhyperior, the Iron Tail cleaving through the beast like an executioner's sword.
If Red's battling style centered around speed, skill, and tactical execution then Giovanni supposed that his Pikachu was at the absolute pinnacle of it.
When Rhyperior stood his ground, Pikachu would move behind it. While Rhyperior crushed all who opposed it, the Pikachu faced it with precise cuts. If Rhyperior was a hammer, then his Pikachu was a surgeon's scalpel.
He knew his former ace Pokemon's strength and he would never doubt it, but even his almighty defense crumbled. Metal met rock that day, and iron was the victor.
Giovanni shouldn't be surprised that a Pikachu could go such lengths, but it was still awe-inspiring to see such a common, delicate rodent topple over his monster of a Pokemon. The bigger they are, the harder they fall and his Rhyperior was one of his biggest.
He still had one more Pokemon up his sleeve.
"Persian."
The age-old rivalry within Kanto. The Persian and the Pikachu. He thought it amusing that such a battle would take place here.
"Not a ground-type." He could hear the teasing tone.
"Consider this a special occasion."
"I suppose I should be honored."
"Don't let it get to your head."
His Persian's Slash met with the Pikachu's Iron Tail.
The game was on.
His Persian's skill and finesse contrasted with the rest of his Pokemon. It too was a surgeon's knife, it too was precise, and it too could match the agility of its prey.
Blow for blow, they parried each other's strikes. They would not hold back. He'd Feint, he'd Play Rough, he wouldn't lose here; not to a Pikachu, no matter how abnormally powerful it was.
The Pikachu's swiftness blurred when it began its Quick Attack, its Iron Tail narrowly missing his Persian, hitting the ground so hard it caused craters. The Thunderbolts that blasted through solid rock did not help matters.
Giovanni watched long enough and decided that he'd have to play dirty. His Persian's claws grew as a Slash struck the ground, scooping up dirt and throwing it at Pikachu's face. The makeshift Sand Attack was enough to send Pikachu stumbling.
The opportunity was too hard to pass up.
"Don't let up, Persian. Play Rough!"
The cat leaped at the chance. Pikachu was pinned down as Persian did its best to force the rat unconscious.
It should be over now, Giovanni contemplated as dust sprouted up from Persian's thorough roughhousing.
Smack!
It was not over.
Persian was sent flying up from an Iron Tail.
BOOM!
Then he heard the familiar roar of thunder and crashing lightning as it arced towards his Persian like an electric god.
The air around Giovanni felt electrified. The meaty thud that landed beside him confirmed his suspicions.
"P-Persian is unable to battle! That means Red Satoshi of Celestic Town is the winner!"
He was never going to look at a Pikachu the same way ever again.
XXX
Ever since giving away the Earth Badge to Red, business was back as usual. His organization continued to steal all over Kanto, he continued saving his region from the overpopulation of Zubats, and he continued plotting for more rare and valuable Pokemon.
Months passed. The Indigo League's conference began.
He turned on his television.
"I just cannot believe it, folks! Are you seeing this, Rob?"
"I am sure all of Kanto cannot believe it, John!"
"One of the favorites to win this entire tournament, the rising star of dragons, Lance, has just been defeated by the Sinnoh challenger, Red!"
"I did not expect this outcome at all!"
The mighty roar of a Charizard thrummed across the screen.
"In an astonishing, extremely close battle, Red's Charmeleon evolved at the perfect time!"
"A battle of dragons, John, it was a battle of dragons!"
"Now Rob, Charizard isn't actually a dr-"
He ignored the squabble from the commentators and paid attention to his surroundings.
He could hear the myriad of grunts in the same building cheer in jubilation or groan in disappointment at the result of the battle. He was sure money was being exchanged around his base of operations. He'd let them.
He wanted to watch the progress of one peculiar trainer.
He performed admirably, he would admit. For a twelve-year-old boy, he was far beyond his peers. He watched him fight; looked at the impressive showing that he performed for Kanto to see.
The child placed second. Extremely close, losing to a more experienced trainer.
They're getting younger and younger, Giovanni mused. At such a young age, he was already doing so well. Giovanni could only wonder just how powerful he would be when his Pokemon continued to grow.
He decided to watch his growth with interest.
It was not every day you get to watch a spectacle such as him and he doubted he ever would again.
XXX
Cynthia was watching from inside a Pokemon Center, analyzing the entirety of Red's bouts.
She cheered for him, of course. He would do the same for her so she wanted to return the favor. She would gasp when his Pokemon were defeated, she yelled in excitement whenever he won, and she became silent as she studied every new technique he used.
She felt a strange sort of pride when she saw how far he had grown since their travels in Sinnoh. It was amazing to see her rival in action.
She flushed happily when she thought about that.
That was her rival, the trainer that considered her his equal. It was fulfilling in a way to watch her rivals grow just as much as it was to marvel at her own progress. Just like Red, she dominated her competitions. Her gym battles were more confident, her fights better than ever.
When she matched Red, also becoming the runner-up of the Ever Grande Conference, she was more than content with how things happened.
She wanted to rush to the nearest computer and call him, to report her victories as well as to hear his from his own mouth, but he strangely didn't answer his calls. It didn't help the fact that, despite completing her journey in Hoenn, she was invited to face something called the Battle Frontier. After some thought, she decided to stay a bit longer.
She began wondering just where Red would head off to next.
Of course, when several days passed without a call from Red, she became a bit concerned.
She knew that he did this all the time. He could be a bit ignorant of others and decide not to respond or show up for some time. The Lily of the Valley Conference was proof of that. Her rival showed up last minute and didn't even try to find her!
Red was always like that.
It was only when she stepped out of the Pokemon Center to start her journey to take on the Battle Frontier, did she meet her rival for the umpteenth time.
She let out a small yelp when someone bumped into her, sending her to the ground.
"Oh, sorry about tha-Wait, Cynthia?"
Those familiar amber eyes looked at her with surprise and she suddenly gained a sense of deja vu as she huffed in feigned exasperation.
"How many times have we met like this now, Red?"
"Twice, but it's odd that it happened this many times."
She gave a small laugh, inwardly pleased when he helped her get up.
"I'm surprised you're still in Hoenn."
"I'm surprised that you decided to go to Hoenn."
Red laughed, "Small world?"
"You should've told me, you dummy."
"I was about to."
She rolled her eyes as they began walking together. It was one thing to speak to him through a computer screen, but it was something else to relax and enjoy his presence beside her. She vastly preferred the latter.
They talked a bit more, regaling their past journeys with enthusiasm. They conversed about their conferences, asked about each other's future heading forward, and spoke about the friends and rivals they'd met. They kept at it for a little while longer than their usual meetings.
He wanted to explore Hoenn. She wanted to challenge the Battle Frontier.
When he gave a knowing smile at that and his active encouragement, her spirit soared.
"Of course, you shouldn't get too arrogant now. It's my job as your rival to keep your head on the ground."
She laughed at that. "My Pokemon has gotten a lot stronger than before, Red."
"There's more to battling than just strength."
And he would always prove it to her.
"Care for a little fight then?"
His Pikachu beamed as their carefree expression held a bit of steel, "You're on."
Cynthia could do nothing but smile as the competitive exhilaration surged within her once more. The familiar weight as she threw the pokeball of her strongest Pokemon aloft while his Pikachu leaped off his shoulders was nostalgic for her.
It was not every day she got to battle her rival, after all.